Tampa hearing set on Citizens rate request

TAMPA — Homeowners covered by state-run Citizens Property Insurance will get to air concerns over a proposed rate increase at a hearing Tuesday.

The hearing is 4 to 8 p.m. in Ballroom D of the Tampa Convention Center, 333 S Franklin St.

The board for Citizens, which insures those who can't find coverage in the open market, voted in June to raise rates by a statewide average of 7 percent. The request is pending with the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation. The overall hike does not reflect increases the board approved for sinkhole coverage.

Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty scheduled the Tampa hearing after then-state Rep. (and new Pasco County tax collector) Mike Fasano said a local meeting was warranted.

People can also email comments to McCarty's office at RateHearings@floir.com and put "Citizens" in the subject line.